Texas
‘More work is needed’: Texas STAAR test shows reading gains, math below pre-pandemic level
Texas elementary and middle school students made gains in reading this year, prompting education leaders to point the scores as a sign that the state’s focus on literacy is paying off.
The percentage of students hitting grade-level expectations on STAAR reading tests improved in most grades and topped pre-pandemic levels.
However, challenges remain. Just under half of Texas third graders are reading at grade level, according to the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness results.
“These results are encouraging and reflect the impact of the strategic supports we’ve implemented in recent years,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said in a statement.
The news was less optimistic in math, a subject students struggled to grasp during the COVID-19 campus closures.
This year’s STAAR performance varied. Third and eighth graders made gains, while those in fifth and seventh grades saw dips.
Overall, state performance in math still fell below where students were in spring 2019, the last test before the pandemic hit.
“Clearly more work is needed,” Morath said of the math scores.
For years, Texas has emphasized that students must learn the “science of reading.” Many teachers are required to go through specialized “reading academies” to ensure they understand the specific techniques that must be used to build children’s literacy skills.
The Legislature recently passed a landmark $8.5 billion funding increase for public schools, which includes a mandate to bolster training programs for math teachers.
The funding package – which comes after years of stagnant state support – also includes money to improve educator training along with additional dollars for other programs aimed at improving student achievement.
Public schools across Texas are still struggling with the fallout of the pandemic, more than five years later.
When Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde reviewed academic outcomes with trustees last week, she urged them to remember how old today’s students were when the pandemic struck in 2020.
“That’s not an excuse, and we’re going to continue to work on it,” she said. “But I just want everyone to understand that we also can’t ignore some of the factors that actually affected our kids.”
Since 2020, the percentage of uncertified teachers working in Texas public schools has exploded. Chronic student absenteeism rates jumped up, too, troubling educators who stress that children can’t learn if they’re not in the classroom.
Parents can log into TexasAssessment.gov and find their child’s STAAR results. Scores for high school students were released last week.
Students don’t need to meet grade level to pass the exams. STAAR scores are broken down into four performance categories on how well they compared to grade-level expectations: masters, meets, approaches and did not meet.
Approaches or higher is considered passing. However, if the student scores only at the approaches level, it means they likely need academic intervention, such as tutoring, in order to succeed in the next grade.
This is a developing story that will be updated throughout the day.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
After a big win in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the No. 5 Oregon Ducks are on to the quarterfinals. Oregon coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks will take on the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
How To Watch
When: Thursday, Jan. 1, at 9 a.m. PT.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Radio Call: Oregon Sports Network, KUJZ-FM 95.3 (Eugene), KRSK-105.1 FM/1080 AM (Portland)
Betting Odds
The Oregon Ducks are 2.5-point favorites against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on FanDuel Sportsbook. The moneyline for Oregon is -130, and the point total is set at 52.5.
Injury Update
The Oregon Ducks’ wide receiver unit is getting healthy at the right time. Wide receivers Gary Bryant Jr. and Dakorien Moore were both seen at practice on Saturday ahead of the game against Texas Tech.
Running back Jordon Davison has been a player to monitor, but was also seen back at practice, another positive sign for the Ducks.
The one player who was not seen during the open portion of practice by the media was wide receiver Evan Stewart. Stewart has yet to play in a game this season, and he will continue to be a player to monitor.
Oregon’s Explosive Offense To Play Key Role
The Oregon Ducks offense has been tough to stop, with its immense depth and explosive plays. The Ducks played well throughout the season despite injuries, but with players returning, Oregon will be tough to stop.
The Ducks lead the FBS with plays going for over 20 yards and are No. 2 in yards per rush, proving the team’s explosiveness. The Ducks total 217.08 rushing yards per game and 251.8 passing yards per game.
The Oregon offense is led by quarterback Dante Moore, who is having a breakout year. Moore totals 3,046 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. He threw four touchdowns against James Madison, but he will have to be careful against the Red Raiders after also throwing two interceptions. Moore also totals 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
MORE: Oregon Ducks Injury Update From Practice Highlights One Major Absence
MORE: Texas Tech Defensive Coordinator Shares Blunt Assessment of Dante Moore
MORE: Oregon Quarterback Austin Novosad’s Likely Landing Spot After Transfer Portal Entry
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Wide receiver Malik Benson has been a role player amid injuries to the offense. Benson leads the team with 645 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq leads the team with eight touchdown receptions and has 509 receiving yards.
Moore does well at spreading the ball around to his several receiving targets, making Oregon a tough team to defend against the pass.
Oregon’s talented running back room has been one of the many highlights of the offense. Running back Noah Whittington leads the team with 798 rushing yards and has six touchdowns. True freshman running back Jordon Davison leads the team with 13 rushing touchdowns and has 625 rushing yards.
While Whittington and Davison may be leading the team, running back Dierre Hill Jr. is coming off a massive game against the Dukes, with one rushing touchdown and a 40-yard reception.
The Oregon Ducks have playmakers on offense that will help lead to a win against the Red Raiders.
Ducks’ Defense Must Stay Consistent
Oregon has one of the most dominant defenses in college football, but the Ducks must play all four quarters against Texas Tech. Oregon’s defense allowed the Dukes to score four touchdowns in the second half, and that cannot happen against a tougher opponent.
Oregon has allowed 16.3 points per game this season and is No. 4 in the nation in a three-and-out rate of 31.11 percent. The defense ranks No. 1 in the FBS for passes broken up (67), and will be a tough team to throw against.
Safety Dillon Thieneman is proving to be a massive transfer portal addition and is a big reason Oregon does well defending the pass. Thieneman totals 71 tackles, one sack, five passes defended, and two interceptions.
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher has been a difference-maker with the Ducks throughout the season. He leads the team with 113 total tackles, and has one sack, four passes defended, one interception, and one forced fumble.
Linebacker Teitum Tuioti is another role player on the team, leading the Ducks with 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Oregon has a talented unit on defense, and the Ducks will have to be on top of their game to defeat Texas Tech.
Texas Tech To Pose Challenge
The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter the matchup with a 12-1 record and as Big 12 champions. With also coming off a bye, the Red Raiders should not be counted out.
Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton has passed for 2,643 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has thrown just four interceptions this season, proving he can make smart decisions and is an accurate thrower.
Texas Tech wide receiver Caleb Douglas leads the team with 846 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. The Red Raiders’ run game has been highly successful this season and will test Oregon’s defense. Running back Cameron Dickey leads the team with 1,095 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
Two players on the Red Raiders’ defense who may play a critical role will be linebackers Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey. Bailey leads the team with 13.5 sacks, going against a tough Oregon offensive line. Rodriguez leads the Red Raiders with 117 tackles and has four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Oregon vs. Texas Tech Prediction
The Oregon Ducks will defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 27-24.
If Oregon defeats Texas Tech, the Ducks will face the winner of No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana in the playoff semifinals.
- Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
- If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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The Houston Cougars defeated the LSU Tigers 38-35 in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl on Saturday night inside NRG Stadium.
The Cougars collected their first 10-win season since 2021, and they won their first bowl game since 2022.
With the win, Houston finished with a 10-3 record, and the Cougars have a lot to be excited about with their success in head coach Willie Fritz’s second season.
Kinder’s Texas Bowl Game Recap
Coach Fritz has preached a simple message all season: “The Coogs don’t beat the Coogs.”
However, the team beat themselves early in the game and the Cougars allowed LSU to jump out to a 14-0 lead with over 12 minutes left in the first quarter.
Disaster struck as the Tigers’ senior kickoff returner Barion Brown took the first return of the game 99 yards to the house to begin the scoring.
On the following LSU possession, sophomore quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. capped off a four-play 60-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Trey’dez Green.
With their backs against the wall, junior quarterback Conner Weigman stepped up and had a lights out first half.
Weigman led a seven-play 75-yard drive that resulted in an eight-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Amare Thomas.
Thomas evened up the score with another touchdown reception on the following drive on a 4-yard pass from Weigman.
After giving up two early touchdowns, the Cougars’ defense held strong, and they didn’t allow another point in the first half.
Houston’s offense kept rolling with a late touchdown by senior tight end Tanner Koziol to score 21 unanswered points and hold a 21-14 half-time lead.
Both teams continued the shoot-out in the second half, and the Cougars found themselves tied at 28 early in the fourth quarter.
With the game on the line, Weigman led a 13-play 72-yard drive and senior Kicker Ethan Sanchez drilled a 25-yard field goal to go ahead 31-28.
The Cougars’ defense forced LSU to punt, and they had the ball with a chance to seal the game.
Senior running back Dean Connors quieted the LSU crowd with a 20-yard touchdown rush to put Houston up 10 points late in the game.
The star transfer helped lead Houston to victory as he rushed 16 times for 126 yards and a touchdown.
The Tigers didn’t go down without a fight. Van Burren Jr. led his team down the field to cut the lead to three points with 1:15 left in the game.
It all came down to an onside kick, one that LSU nearly recovered, but the Cougars bounced on the ball to win the game.
Houston outlasted LSU to even the all-time series at 2-2. Fritz also picked up his fourth bowl win, and he has the Cougars rolling as his squad rolls into the offseason.
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